Audemars Piguet

The luxury watch market continues to stay strong across the world. Digital Luxury Group is a Luxury industry market intelligence firm and they just released the results of the haute horlogerie category (18 brands) of the WorldWatchReport.

The data used as a basis of this luxury watch industry report were derived from analyzing watch-related search queries searched on the major global search engines.

Results show that for the haute horlogerie category, global interest in 2012 increased by 7% over the prior year. The findings also determined that the world’s most popular watch brands and models remained consistent as compared to 2011.

The preview report from Digital Luxury Group tracked online interest in the following watch brands: A. Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Bovet, Breguet, De Bethune, Frank Muller, Girard-Perregaux, Glashütte Original, Greubel Forsey, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Parmigiani, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, Ulysse Nardin and Vacheron Constantin.

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Audemars Pigue Royal Oak

There were six key findings highlighted in the WorldWatchReport by Digital Luxury Group. They are as follows:

1) Highest-end category of luxury watches, haute horlogerie, experienced a 7% year over year increase in brand interest.

2) China shows very strong interest in the luxury watch market, accounting for 31% of global demand. That number is twice that as the U.S. market. Brazil, Russia, India, China, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan accounted for almost half of the worl’d interest at 47%.

3) Global demand is down to two of the largest mature luxury watch markets – U.S. down by 10.6 percent and Japan is down by 11.7 percent.

4) The top haute horlogerie watch brand is Patek Philippe with 23.6 percent of brand interest share, followed by Jaeger-LeCoultre at 12.7 percent, Vacheron Constantin at 12.6 percent, Audemars Piguet at 9.2 percent and in 5th place is Breguet at 7.7 percent.

5) Richard Mille brand became the fastest growing haute horlogerie brand with 61% growth over last year)5. Vacheron Constantin followed with 26% and Patek Philippe came in at 10.2%

6) Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak remains at the top of the list for the most sought-after haute horlogerie watch model. Following its lead last year, the luxury watch brand experienced a 5% increase in online interest over the last year.

Source: Forbes

Jorg Gray

American watch brand Jorg Gray just announced its plans to release a limited edition, signature timepiece as a result of partnering with ambassador and soccer phenomenon Clint Dempsey.

This incredible timepiece will be the third commemorative limited edition piece that’s been produced by Jorg Gray.

The first watch model was with brand ambassador MotoGP racer Ben Spies and the second limited edition, signature timepiece was with IndyCar driver Alex Tagliani.

The Jorg Gray 2500-22 will feature a stunning black plated bezel that comes with a layered dial and applied index featuring Swiss ISA SOCCER TIMER movement with date display.

The watch’s back of the case offers an embossed soccer ball with the edition number listed beneath. The entire luxury time piece is water resistant up to 100 meters.

The Jorg Gray 2500-22 will be produced as a limited run of only 1,000 pieces being produced. Look for the Clint Dempsey Limited Edition Game Timer watch to be high on many watch connoisseur and collector’s wish list.

Watch enthusiasts will be able to buy the Jorg Gray limited edition timepiece at select Jorg Gray authorized dealers around the world next month or online at www.jorggray.com starting at $795 USD.

Stefan Johansson Växjö

Professional racecar driver Stefan Johansson has brought his years of car racing in to his latest luxury watch collections – the Mark IX and Mark X.

Owner of Stefan Johansson Växjö, he stated, “I am very excited to finally be able to show my two new designs after almost 3 years of development and fine-tuning. My goal from the very beginning was to create something that is instantly recognizable.”

Stefan Johansson merges his artistic sensibility with his experience as one of auto racing’s most decorated, enduring drivers into the designs of his Mark IX and Mark X timepieces. Both luxury watch collections are dramatic departures from his previous chronograph watch designs.

Each new style is divided into three distinct series: C, E and G. Each design is inspired by a particular era or aspect of Johansson’s successful car racing career.

All Stefan Johansson Växjö Mark IX and Mark X timepieces share a number of distinguishing characteristics of form and function:
– 60-minute chronograph register is uniquely set at the center of each dial
– E and G models feature a telemeter register, which measures the speed of sound – keeping focus on the fact that a fraction of a second makes all the difference in the world of racing
– 3D three-piece hour and minute hands, unique numerals, integrated crown protector and pusher mechanisms represent four of eight unique design features that have patents pending
– Glass back is engraved with the piece’s individual ‘chassis’ number and if desired, the owner’s name.

Below are features of the new Stefan Johansson Växjö Mark IX and Mark X watch collections:

MARK IX
Movement: Dubois-Depraz Calibre 2075
Case : 41mm or 45mm case, available in a variety of metals
Crystal: Flat sapphire crystal with anti-glare coating.
Sapphire glass exhibition back
Water Resistant: 5 ATM

MARK X
Movement: Dubois-Depraz Calibre 2075
Case : 40mm x 46mm, available in a variety of metals
Crystal: Flat sapphire crystal with anti-glare coating.
Sapphire glass exhibition back
Water Resistant: 5 ATM

Shreve & Co.

Shreve & Co. is San Francisco’s premier jeweler and this year marks a significant milestone in company’s long history. 2012 is a special year for Shreve & Co. as it commemorates another big milestone with its 160^th Anniversary.

Since 1852, Shreve & Co., originally The Shreve Jewelry Store, has been a vibrant part of the Bay Area fine jewelry industry and a champion of spectacular designs and established designers.

Shreve & Co., formerly The Shreve Jewelry Store, was founded in San Francisco in 1852, and incorporated in 1894.

In the past 160 years, Shreve has hosted only the highest quality of fine jewelry and timepiece designs, ranging from Mikimoto and Rolex, to Hearts on Fire, Wellendorff, and (newly) Patek Philippe.

With an unmatched offering of only the best luxury products, Shreve & Co. continues to uphold its reputation as the premier destination for distinguished timepieces and exquisite jewelry.

During the month of May, Shreve & Co. honors its storied past by celebrating the present and looking toward the future by hosting an exclusive, invitation-only reception for some of its most loyal clientele, and inviting those who are new to Shreve, to understand why it has been on top for 160 years.

Shreve & Co. President Glen Ross says, “I feel honored to be a part of this wonderful occasion. Shreve is proud to be the oldest existing retailer in San Francisco and honored to have served the myriad of personalities that create San Francisco, as we celebrate yet another unique milestone.”

For additional information on Shreve & Co., please visit www.shreve.com.

For hundreds of years now, luxury watches have been regarded as symbols of wealth, success and meticulous engineering.

The fine artisanship of luxury watches such as Rolex, Cartier, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Patek Philippe and others, has made them more than just timepieces. That is why for most people, owning a luxury watch is a symbol of having arrived, of success and triumph.

Luxury watches can quickly represent a status upon their wearers. Wearing a Rolex or Cartier watch signifies great class and wealth of the bearer.

When buying luxury watches, there are several pointers that one should know before buying and investing in an expensive timepiece.
Full article

For hundreds of years now, luxury watches have been regarded as symbols of wealth, success and meticulous engineering. The fine artisanship of luxury watches such as Rolex, Cartier, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Patek Philippe and others, has made them more than just timepieces. That is why for most people, owning a luxury watch is a symbol of having arrived, of success and triumph.

Luxury watches can quickly represent a status upon their wearers. Wearing a Rolex or Cartier watch signifies great class and wealth of the bearer. When buying luxury watches, there are several pointers that one should know before buying and investing in an expensive timepiece.
Full article